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Mentioned In HGTV Magazine
Every now and then, something happens that makes an ordinary day feel extraordinary. That’s exactly what occurred this afternoon at our office when the mailman delivered a large white envelope addressed to us from HGTV Magazine. As soon as we saw the return label, the excitement began to bubble. Inside was a thank you letter, along with a crisp copy of their April 2014 issue. And there it was, right on the glossy pages of one of America’s most beloved home decor magazines - a feature showcasing one of our very own wallpaper designs.
The story of how we ended up in HGTV Magazine actually began back in January. We received a call from one of their assistant editors, who was working on a story for an upcoming issue. She had been researching wallpaper designs and was particularly interested in one of our York patterns. We were more than happy to share details about the design, its inspirations, and how customers had been using it in their homes. At the time, it seemed promising. But as with many editorial processes, things shifted.
A few days after the initial correspondence, there was a follow-up phone call. The editor had to inform us that there had been a change of decision and that another pattern from another line would be used for the feature. Naturally, this was quite a disappointment, but we had accepted that in publishing, change is part of the game. After thanking them for considering our work, we went on with our everyday operations, thinking that was the end of the matter.
Fast forward to the present day, which is what made this moment so delightful: we never knew that HGTV Magazine eventually circled back around and went with one of our designs!
To everyone's surprise, the editor sought out the York original pattern while this wallpaper wasn't the one, rather a playful polka dot lace print from our Black and White II group. It was pretty fulfilling to see the design reproduced and featured in a publication which inspires so many homeowners and decorators.
What intrigues me most about the wallpaper is the context in which it is placed. The article is not exactly about wallpaper. It highlights one of many creative ideas on decorating a room with ladder shelves. Shelves are adorned sweetly with one arrangement featuring plants, books, and photo frames, while our wallpaper is assigned the chic styling role as the backdrop, giving a tying visual element to the entire setup.
Even though the article doesn't single out the wallpaper for specific attention, we're so happy that our design gently uplifts the story. It's a kind of whisper saying: wallpaper doesn't always have to be in the spotlight. Sometimes it is the supporting character which enhances the whole story.
This sort of publicity means so much to us, not simply because of product recognition, but because it signals a bigger interior design movement. Over an incredible ten years, the wallpaper industry has undergone so much change. From a stance of being considered passe or overly traditional, wallpaper has been undergoing a renaissance. From bolder patterns to contemporary textures, to the new-age peel-and-stick varieties, today's wallpaper is a stylish way for homeowners to express themselves while enjoying the flexibility offered to them.
Media such as HGTV Magazine are critical in reshaping people's perceptions about wallpaper. For us, it's either the wallpaper at the foreground or accentuating a design element in the backdrop; we love to see wallpaper being talked about in mainstream settings again.
The Black and White II collection has always held a special place in our portfolio. By combining classic monochrome with contemporary patterns, it integrates into diverse interiors-from pared-down studios to wonderfully eclectic family homes. With just enough whimsical character and texture, the polka dot lace pattern can work in accent walls, on bookshelves or, according to HGTV, behind ladder shelves.
Experiences such as these ground us in our purpose. Designing that hits a chord with the people, finds its way into actual houses, and ends up helping those people express their own style, this is truly the heart of what we do.
Much appreciation goes to HGTV Magazine for bringing us into their April 2014 issue. It was, without a doubt, a very welcome surprise, and we hope that this is just the first of many instances when the world will see our designs featured in print, on screen, and, much more importantly, in the very homes of people who favor great design.
If you do happen to be one of those occasional magazine buyers, by all means, go checkout the home styling section in the April issue. You might catch our polka dot lace print sneaking in for its quiet yet confident stint.